Focus on self-driving
Kverneland man at the helm of Lemken field sprayers
Beginning of last year opened Lemken a new factory in Haren, Germany, for the production of field sprayers. Since February 1, Iljan Schouten has been at the helm of the 'Business Unit Crop Care'. This includes all sprayers. Schouten previously held various positions at Kverneland in Nieuw-Vennep.
Lemken would like to grow in the crop care segment. This requires expansion. It has owned RTS-Pflanzenbautechnik since 2005 and has spraying technology in its program. For this purpose, a new factory was built two years ago, which has now been running for a year, under the Crop Care Business Unit.
In addition to Iljan Schouten, eight additional engineers have been hired for development and testing. The location in Haren therefore has 59 employees, for which Schouten is responsible. In addition, he is jointly responsible for development, sales and service. The line-up of sprayers that Lemken produces consists of the Vega, Albatros, Primus, Sirius and Gemini front tank.
Schouten started his career at Kverneland Group in 1999. After a trip to Schuitemaker, he was, among other things, marketing manager and responsible for sales and marketing. 'With more than fifteen years of experience… he has optimum properties to safeguard and expand Lemken's field sprayer portfolio', the family company writes in the press release.
Lemken currently gives the highest priority to developing and building a self-propelled sprayer. That's the only 'gap' known to the current line-up. To this end, the company announces a strategic partnership with groom† Also a German machine builder. The company has two self-propelled sprayers in the package. The company was founded in 1987 and received spraying technology with the acquisition of Inuma. Self-driving models have been built for this since 1999. Incidentally, the company also supplies chassis to CHD and Dubex.
Manager Schouten can contribute more than sufficiently. Kverneland has just completed a project in which it has also developed a self-propelled sprayer. Before that, it joined forces with the Italian Mazotti.
The highest priority is given to building a self-propelled vehicle, Lemken says. To that end, it is joining forces with Bräutigam. They have two models in the program. The HT 160 (photo) and a three axle HT 200-40. The engine comes from Deutz and produces 245 hp. The maximum tank size is now 8.000 liters with 36 meters of booms. The track width is hydraulically adjustable between 1.80 and 2.30m. Lemken still has to tinker for the Dutch market.
Niels van der Boom
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